Summer is the perfect excuse to bring your team together, soak up some sunshine, and celebrate with a memorable work summer party. Whether you’re planning a corporate event or just want to treat your team to something special, a summer party is the ultimate way to boost team connections and enjoy some well-earned fun.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through creative summer party ideas, themes to wow your team, and tips to make planning a breeze. Get ready to throw an event that will have your colleagues talking all year long!
Types of Work Summer Party Events
When it comes to summer parties, the options are endless. Here are some standout ideas to inspire your planning:
1. Indoor Games:
- Summer doesn’t always mean blue skies, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Bring the good times inside with activities like our Four Quarters Challenge, a great indoor activity which involves collaboration, teamwork and a bit of fancy dress! If you’re after more ideas, check out our range of indoor team building activities which could be suitable for your Summer event.
2. Laid Back Summer Socials:
- Not every party needs to be a big production. Sometimes, simplicity is key. Picture this: your team gathered in a sunny pub garden or a private venue, chatting over drinks and soaking in the summer vibes. Sometimes, the best memories come from the simplest gatherings. Sometimes simple is best!
3. Summer Garden Party
- A quintessentially British Summer Garden Party is often the perfect choice. Think tea and scones, bubbly in hand, and lawn games like croquet or giant Jenga. Hire a marquee, dress up the venue with floral decor, and let the relaxed yet elegant atmosphere set the tone for a perfect summer day.
4. BBQs:
- Nothing says summer like a good old-fashioned BBQ. Fire up the grill, stock up on burgers and hot dogs, and invite your colleagues for a day of delicious food and drinks. You can even look to bring in external caterers to provide a modern twist on the traditional BBQ.
5. Outdoor Games:
- Want to get the team moving? Outdoor games like our Outdoor Office Olympics or Crystal Challenge are perfect for some friendly competition and collaboration under the sun. With activities for every skill level, you can turn your summer party into a day full of laughter, teamwork, and most importantly, fun!
Summer Party Themes
Take your summer party to the next level with a theme that brings everything together. From nostalgic vibes to festival fun, here are some ideas to inspire your celebration:
1. British Garden Party
Bring a slice of British charm to your summer party with floral decor, bunting, and afternoon tea. Serve Pimm’s, strawberries and cream, and classic treats while guests enjoy games like croquet. It’s timeless, elegant, and guaranteed to impress.
2. Seaside Soiree
Can’t make it to the beach? Bring the beach to you! Deck chairs, nautical props, and fish and chips will transport your team to a seaside escape. Add beach games, ice cream stands, and summer cocktails for the full experience.
3. Carnival Extravaganza
Turn your party into a colorful carnival! Set up fairground games, circus-themed decor, and food stalls serving popcorn and candyfloss. Add entertainers like jugglers or stilt walkers for that extra wow factor. It’s fun, nostalgic, and unforgettable.
4. Sports Day Spectacular
Channel the spirit of friendly competition with a company sports day. From bean bag races to tug-of-war, this theme is perfect for teams who love a challenge. Bonus points if you include prizes and a celebratory picnic to round off the day. If you want to really embrace a Sports theme, our Outdoor Office Olympics can bring the Olympic Games to you!
5. Festival Frenzy
Transform your event into a mini-festival with live music, food trucks, and festival-style decor. Encourage everyone to dress in their best festival gear and create a day full of dancing, good vibes, and unforgettable memories.
How to Plan A Company Summer Party Event
Planning a company summer party might feel daunting, but with these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to hosting an event your team will love:
1. Choose the Date and Location
Pick a date that works for your team, and secure a venue early to avoid disappointment. Whether it’s an outdoor garden, a private venue, or even your office, the right location sets the tone for your event.
2. Create a Guest List
Make sure everyone is included, from all departments to remote workers. Use company-wide emails, funky invites, or even a social media-style countdown to get everyone excited.
3. Plan Your Catering
Good food is a party essential! From BBQs to street food vans, the options are endless. Just don’t forget to account for dietary requirements to keep everyone happy.
4. Decorate
If you’ve picked a theme, go all out with the details. Think bunting, fairy lights, or even props that match your chosen vibe. Your effort won’t go unnoticed, and it’ll make the event feel extra special.
5. Plan Your Entertainment
What’s a party without some fun? From DJs and dancefloors to activity stations and team challenges, choose entertainment that reflects your company’s values and ensures everyone feels included.
Top Corporate Summer Party Activities
With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to decide what kind of company summer party event to host. Here are some ideas to get you started:
The Outdoor Office Olympics
Rather than waiting 4 years to see the Olympics why not compete in the Outdoor Office Olympics this year? We’re excited to bring our brand-new event to a location near you this year!
The Outdoor Office Olympics is a great Team Building activity and is designed to bring you and your colleagues together. You will be split up into teams and you will have to compete in Olympic-style games. Each game has its twist you will be competing for your own Olympic medals!
Activities may include:
- Football Dartboards
- Volleyball
- Track Races
- Javelin
- And many more options are available!
This outdoor event will be sure to get your hearts pumping and brains working! There will be inflatables and sports tracks lined up everywhere, suitable for everyone. We’ll also add some music to keep your teams motivated throughout. Only one team will win. Will this be your team or your rivals? You can find out more here.
Corporate Sports Day
Remember the good old days of your School Sports Day? Want to bring out your inner child? The fun, the competitiveness, and the glory! Want to re-live those days with your very own Corporate Sports Day? We have all the classic races that you’ll remember.
- The famous Egg And Spoon Race.
- The glorious Hula Hoop Race.
- The hilarious Giant Sausage Race. Watch with laughter as your colleagues try and move a giant sausage in sync!
You can really throw yourselves into this company Sports Day so get ready for the best Team Building activity you have ever tried!
Crystal Challenge
Test your team’s mental agility and physical skills to win The Crystal Challenge, inspired by the hit 90’s TV show! With various challenge zones, your teams will need to work together to earn crystals which amount to all important seconds in the finale. The grand finale is to enter the Crystal Dome where you will be put to the test to get as many gold tickets as possible… but be careful as some surprises in there can deduct points.
Sun and Games
When you think of Summer, what do you think of? Beach games? Festivals? Camping? Sports Day races? Well luckily, Sun and Games has all of those things! In this event, there will be various activity stations varying from physical challenges and races to puzzles and creative creations. Inclusivity is at the heart of this event as there is something for everyone to enjoy. You could be taking part in a volleyball showdown, building a tent blindfolded or creating a cute animal design out of a beach towel!
Betrayers
Inspired by the BBC TV Show Traitors comes Betrayers! A game of strategy and suspense where you must identify the Betrayers among you. Take part in various games and challenges designed to help you get to know your teams and test problem solving skills. Teams will participate in round table discussions to eliminate the ones they believe to be a Betrayer. Will you be a Betrayer or a Faithful?
The Office Games
It’s showtime! You can have some fun with the team by bringing the glitz & glamour of TV to your office or venue with our exclusive game show experience. With activities such as:
- Think Fast: 5 seconds to name 5 things to get your pulse racing.
- Win It In A Minute: a series of Taskmaster-style challenges to get your mind rushing.
- Speed Quiz: The ultimate test of trivia and the chance to win some bubbly and more!
So what better way to build connections than The Office Games company game show!
A work summer party is more than just a day out—it’s an opportunity to bring your team together, celebrate achievements, and create memories that last. Whether you’re going big with a carnival or keeping it simple with a garden party, the key is to focus on fun, inclusivity, and making your team feel valued.
Need help planning the perfect summer event? We’re here to take the stress out of organizing and turn your ideas into an unforgettable day.
